Dr. Phil joined U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers during a deportation raid in Chicago, documenting parts of the operation for his media network.
On Sunday, Jan. 26, the TV personality whose real name is Phillip McGraw, shared video on the X platform of the raid, and said the footage will be available on his MeritTV app.
The operation, led by Trump administration “border czar” Tom Homan, sought individuals labeled as “high-value targets.”
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In the video, a man who identified himself as Sam Seda, was taken into custody.
McGraw is seen questioning Seda, asking him: “What’s your name? Where are you from?”
Seda replied, “Where I was born or where I am from?” He confirmed he was born in Thailand and admitted he was not a U.S. citizen. When asked about previous deportations, Seda declined to answer further questions, stating that he needed to speak with his lawyer.
Homan used the moment to criticize cities offering migrants sanctuary, saying: “This is an example of sanctuary cities. We got illegal aliens convicted of sex crimes involving children, and he’s walking the streets of Chicago.”
The Trump administration is facing sharp criticism from Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul after carrying out the raid.
“This is going to have an upsetting effect on our economy and stability in our community,” Raoul told CNN. “These are people who make contributions and pay taxes and are part of the fabric of our community here in Chicago and throughout the nation.”
In another clip posted earlier, McGraw defended the raid, claiming ICE agents were not indiscriminately targeting neighborhoods but were instead focusing on dangerous individuals.
“These are known criminals and terrorists. We are talking about murderers, child traffickers, child rapists. We’re talking about bad actors,” McGraw said.
The TV personality’s participation comes after he endorsed President Donald Trump during a campaign rally last year, calling the move an “act of rebellion.”
The controversial media personality, who has a doctoral degree in clinical psychology and is a licensed psychologist, began his showbiz career with a featured segment on The Oprah Winfrey Show in the 1990s.
As his popularity grew, he left Texas and moved to Los Angeles to launch his advice show in September 2002. He has since returned to Texas.
The raid, which McGraw states will be available with full coverage on the MeritTV app, comes as his Merit Street Media network, based in Texas, faces ratings and financial challenges.
McGraw launched the network in 2024, when his long-running deal with CBS Media Ventures in California ended and his syndicated daytime TV show was canceled.
In 2023, the New York Post reported production on Dr. Phil ended because advertisers “fled” the controversial program, McGraw had a growing reputation as a “quack doctor,” and it was becoming increasingly more difficult to book “credible guests.”
“Despite the fact Dr. Phil averaged more than 2 million viewers… the show had become radioactive for many sponsors,” the outlet reported.
Since setting up operations in Texas, his company has faced difficulties, including laying off nearly 40 staff members shortly after launching, according to WFAA, the ABC affiliate in Dallas.
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